Andersons of Colonial N. Carolina

I found his will which is rather remarkable as he relates many relationships of family members and his considerable property holdings. Mention is made in the will of his son to them being Quakers. His son Daniel predeceased him and another son James is mentioned as deceased… all of which makes me wonder if there was some sort of disease outbreak such as smallpox around 1760/61? John Gay, if I remember correctly, also had a son who predeceased him about this same time. (all Quakers)… odd.

I’ve chronicled a John Anderson of the Bridger’s Creek area who died around 1733… I propose that he was the son of Henry Anderson of Henrico Co. VA…

Another John Anderson of VA partnered with Robert Munford and was (as noted in his will) an Indian trader.    Munford was associated with some of the Occoneechee folks.

I’ve looked to VA as a possible source for the James I research in Occoneechee Neck…. see this link for an interesting account of the difficulty with dealing with the Virginia colonial boys…. whew…

https://mattocks2.wordpress.com/category/generation-11/001554-james-anderson/

I love cliches… they are very practicable as Southerners gone by used to say. Sometimes the obvious is the most inobvious.  The name Peter, in reference to an Anderson, in colonial eastern NC is rare.  I don’t find the name reflected in any other Anderson families in eastern colonial NC.  For that reason I look to Virginia.

Two men set the course of a large enterprise of Indian Trade in the late 1600s- Abraham Wood and William Byrd I.  The Wood faction centered around Petersburg, VA.  Get That?  Oh come on, you might ask, you can’t be serious from a genealogical aspect that that could have anything to do with a guy in NC who died in 1801?  Indeed I do.  A neighbor of Peter Anderson in NC was one Biggins Sturdivant…  trace his family back and you will find John Sturdivant…

Death of John Sturdivant, Adventures of Purse and Person, P 351.   John Sturdivant seems to have been an Indian trader in the employ of William Byrd I of Westover, who wrote April 29, 1684 from James City to Thomas Grendon in England.“Old Sturdivant, his son, Millner, Shipy, Womacke and Hugh Cassell were all killed by the Indians in their returne from the westward, about 30 miles beyond Ochanechee, what prejudice it is to mee you may guesse, they having (had they come well in) made a very advantagious journey.”

I suspect the father of Peter Anderson of NC was a grandson of Reynard Anderson of Virginia.  That story begins on the South side of the James River…

http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~anderson/virginia.html

———————–

I dug up some old notes…

Virginia Genealogical Society Quarterly, Volume XXI, Number 3 (01-JUL-1983)

Prince George Co., Court Orders and Returns of Executions

 p. 113

At A Court Held at Merchants Hope for Prince George County 9 April 1717 Present: Robert Hall,James Thweatt, John Hardyman, Lewis Green, Jr, John Peterson, Gent., Justices

p. 114

Elizabeth Cooper, relict of John Cooper, dec’d, makes oath that her husband died intestate and she is appointed Administratrix with James Bell and PETER ANDERSON her security.

——————

So, this Peter in Virginia, 1717, doesn’t leave any tracks I can find… he is too early to have died in 1801 but what if he moved to NC and died.  In 1745 “a” widow Susannah Anderson received a grant in NC…  see my Page for some notes on her… (I’ve not had the chance to view her grant which may furnish some clues)

For new folks perusing my Pages to the right, TTT means I am Tracking The Traders… Indian Traders.  The area of modern Halifax Co., NC and particularly Occoneechee Neck was full of them.  Half of them came from the Petersburg, VA area… many were from Isle of Wight and Nansemond Co. VA.  Some were home grown NC folks.  I have a theory that James Anderson 1716-1727 or so was a trader.  I’m working the theory that he was the son of George Anderson who sold out his 175 acres in IOW in 1710 and they relocated to NC by 1716. George dies prior to 1732 when his widow leaves a will naming sons James and Carolus.

Another character at this time is Daniel McDaniel who dies by 1732. A witness to his will was a John Anderson who I speculate may be a son of James and grandson of George. (all this is theory… let me make that clear).  A fascinating account of one Daniel McDaniel is found in the Colonial Records where a preacher dies while in the company of McDaniel near Bath Town.  Listed in the Inventory of McDaniel after his death is a “perri auger”… a boat.  The McDaniel that I chronicle lived on the Roanoke River perhaps near modern Scotland Neck (very roughly and east to the river).  Therein is a conundrum… the Roanoke does not grant access to Bath Town… the Tar River does however.  Look at a map.  McDaniel had his run-in with the authorities in 1720.  Around 1723 James Anderson is identified as residing in Bath County.  In 1709 an unfortunate fellow by the name of John Lawson drew a map showing Bath County and what would “become” Tar River.  (Lawson used the term “Pamptecough” River).  On Lawson’s map if you look at the “B” in the word Bath you find what will become Tarboro, NC.  Coincidence?

———————
An historical aside…

Minutes of the North Carolina Governor’s Council
North Carolina. Council
April 02, 1724 – April 17, 1724
Volume 02, Pages 520-530

Upon Complaint of the Meherine Indians setting forth that their Lands were all taken up and Surveyed by the English their Neighbours and that they were forwarned from off their clear Grounds and forbid to plant Corne thereon
Ordered That Coll William Maule the late Surveyr General attend this Board at Edenton next General Court and that in the mean while the said Indians have Liberty to plant their Lands as formerly without molestations from any person whatsoever

…
April ye 16th mett againe

Present as before

The order of Council appointing a Fee to the Govr for signing patents being sent to the lower house of Assembly for their allowance was returned this day with following endorsement on the back of it vizt

The within order being read it is allowed that the Fee of Twenty five Shillings within mentioned may be taken till the setting of the next Biennial Assembly

per order of the House
R HICKS Cler Dom Comd
…
The following adress from the lower house was presented by Mr Patrick Maule and Richard Graves and ordered that the Consideration thereof be referred till to morrow

Adjourned till to Morrow Morning

April ye 17th met againe Present as before

Read the aforegoing Address in the following words Vizt

North Carolina—ss.
To the Honoble George Burrington Esqr Governor and Com̄ander in Chief of North Carolina and to the Honoble Council

The Address of the Lower house of Assembly of North Carolina

It Apearing to this House that most of the Lands of Albemarle County being already taken up the Growth and encrease of this Government is much obstructed for want of such Instructions concerning the sales of Land in this Government as might be complyed with by which means many who have removed hither from foreign parts have been oblidged to return and others are dayly removeing to the great weakening of the Government by the loss of so many Inhabitants as well as to the deminuition of the Lords proprietors Revenue, wherefore that such an expedient may be found to retain such of the Inhabitants as are designed to remove and to encourage others to settle in this Government untill the Lords proprietors shall be pleased to give Instructions for the sales of Lands as the Inhabitants of this Government can comply with concerning which we intend to address their Ldps and pray your Honours Concurrance.

——————– page 529 ——————–
We humbly propose to your Honrs that you would be pleased to give such orders and Instructions that persons may enter survey take up and occupy the vacant Lands on the annual payments of such rents as your Honrs shall think proper untill such time as their Lordps shall declare after what manner the purchase money shall be paid in this Government after which Declaration so made by the proprietors the Possessrs of such Lands may have a Limitted time to accept of their Lordships Tearms of Purchase

And this we are humbly of Opinion will be a great means to Retain many of the Inhabitants otherwise designed to remove encourage others to Settle among us and cause a very great addition to their Ldps Revenues

By order of the Lower house
THOMAS SWANN, Speaker
The Governor and Council taking unto Consideration the address of the lower house of Assembly which was presented yesterday and was this day read and several of the Members of the Council representing that sundry person are already seated on the vacant Lands for which purchase money has not been paid nor any rents, and the Governor and Council being unanimously of Opinion that the permitting people to occupy the vacant Lands on the payment of a certian rent untill the Lords proprietors pleasure be further known will not only very much strengthen and encrease the Settlement of this Government but also cause a very great addition to the Lords proprietors annual Revenue

It is ordered That Permission be given for any person or persons to take out warrt signed by the Governor and Council directed to the surveyor General or his Deputy to lay out Lands in Bath County after the same manner they are usually laid out in Albemarle County To hold and occupy the same on the annual payment of three shilling per hundred Acres untill the Lords proprietors pleasure be further known provided always that unless the Taker up of Lands according to this order do within two years after the survey of the Land enter upon the clearing and Seating thereof in such manner as is provided for the Settling Land in Albemarle County then all and every such Survey shall be Void and ineffectual and such Lands ffree for any person or persons to enter upon and Seat according to the rules hereby declared

And it is further ordered that when the Lords Proprietors shall be please to give direction for the granting Lands in Bath County then all and every such Possessors of Lands so Surveyed who shall have actually paid their rents aforementioned or secured the same to be paid shall have

——————– page 530 ——————–
the preference to take up the same Lands (so possessed and for which the rents shall have been paid or secured to be paid) upon such Terms as their Lordps shall please to signify for the Granting Lands provided they comply with such Term within one year after notice is given by proclamation
It is also Ordered That the Governor and secretary shall have take and recieve the like ffee for all such Lands so taken up as is appointed for warrant and patents in Albemarle County and that the Surveyor General do make out a Catalogue of all such Lands so taken up and deliver the same to the Lords Proptr Receiver General that the same may be entered on the rent Roll for which entry It shall be Lawfull for the Reciever General to have and take of each person whose Lands shall be so entered the sum of five shillings

Mr Chief Justice having represented to this Board that it was customary in their Ldps Government of South Carolina for the Reciever General out of their Ldps Revenue to defray the expences of a Dinner on the sessions day of each Genl Court

Ordered That Arthur Goffe Esqr Recer Genl do pay the sum of fifteen pound to Mr Thomas Parris it being what was expended on a dinner on the sessions day last past and charge the same on his accompt

By Order

————————————

With the mention of Patrick Maule in the record above, note this fascinating deed for James Anderson:

Bertie Deed Book A

19  No 12          Jas. Anderson to Jno. Grey

North Carolina_  To all of whom these presents shall come James Anderson of the County of Bath send Greeting Know ye that I the said James Anderson for and in Consideration of the Sum of twelve pounds current money of North Carolina to me in hand paid by Capt. John Grey of the County of Albermarl in the Province aforesaid before the Insealing and Delivery of these presents the Receipt thereof I do hereby Acknowledge and thereof and of every part and parcel thereof do fully Clearly and Absolutely asign_ exonerate & Discharge the said John Grey his Exers. & Admrs. in and by their presents and for Divers other good causes and Considerations me thereunto move especially moving Have Granted Bargained Sold Aliened enfeoffed and Confirmed and Confirm unto the said John Gray and to his Heirs and Assigns forever a Certain Tract or parcell of Land lying on the North side of Morattock River in Occoneechee Neck in Albermarle County containing ffour Hundred Acres the same being part of a Larger Tract of Six Hundred and forty Acres formerly Surveyed or laid out by Collo. William Maule for William Braswell and by the said Braswell conveyed to Matthew Capps and by the sd Capps conveyed to me James Anderson which said Tract or parcell of Land lyes upon the Cypress Swamp joyning upon William Boons Land to the Southward and upon John Nellsons Land to the Northward And also all and Singular the wood waters and Rivers together with all priviledges of Hunting Hawking Fishing & Fowling to have and to Hold the said Tract or parcell of Land and all and Singular other premisses herein before mentioned and Intended to be hereby Granted with their and every of their apperten unto the said John Gray his Heirs and assigns forever to the only use and behoof of him the said John Gray his Heirs and Assigns forevermore and I the said James Anderson for myself and my heirs the said Tract or parcell of Land and all and Singular the Premises with their and every of their appertces unto him the said John Gray his Heirs and Assigns against me the said James Anderson my Heirs & Assigns and against all and every other person or persons whatsoever Lawfully me Claiming or which shall and may Lawfully claim by from or under me them or any of them shall and will warrant and forever Defend by these presents In Witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and seal this 3rd day of March Anno_ Domini 1721/22

James (I with horizontal slash) Anderson & a Seal, Sealed and Delivered in Presence of us Patt; Maule   Mau: Moore   No. Carolina March Matt?

the above Deed was proved by the Oaths of Pat Maule & Mau Moore Evidences thereto this 20th Day of April Anno Dom 1722, Let it be Registered  C Gale Cl_

Transcribed Marc Anderson, 2011

————————

I don’t think it would be inappropriate to at least “insinuate” that William Maule and his brother Patrick were crooks… while not mentioned in this historical document, they would seem to be inferred:

Letter from Gabriel Johnston to the Board of Trade of Great Britain, Johnston, Gabriel, ca. 1698-1752, May 25, 1735

…”As the Proprietors of these Blank patents have troubled your Board with a representation in their Favour I must in Duty to his Majesty declare unto your Lordships that after a very nice and important enquiry I can see no reason to confirm one of them and that in Justice every patent issued since the land office was shut up, was a cheat from the beginning and ought to be declared null and void, and as they have promised to submit to your Lordships opinion without repining I must acquaint you that if your Lordships make any the least concession or destraction there will be no end of their Quibbling and this matter wont be determined for years to come whereas if you think proper to condemn all patents issued on any pretence whatever since the land office was shutt up by the Lords Proprietors and oblige them to take out new patents from the Crown, it is no hardship to them it will much encrease the only Revenue the Crown has here and it will finish the affair at once. I must once more putt your Lordships in mind that these patents take place in the County of Bath only, which however contains three parts of four of the whole province.”

http://docsouth.unc.edu/csr/index.html/document/csr04-0007#p4-9

Scandals and accusations of corruption were rampant in the 1720s and afterwards… in this 1735 account one ex-governor defends himself:

Memorandum from George Burrington to the Board of Trade of Great Britain concerning blank land patents, Burrington, George, 1680-1759, October 13, 1735, Volume 04, Pages 299-307

…”In the first paragraph and part of the 2nd Mr Johnston affirms that before the year 1724 the Land Office for the County of Bath was shut up &c This is very true and after the Late Lord Proprietors signified their Pleasures to Charles Eden Esqr their then Govr of North Carolina (to whome I succeeded) on that head: there were no more purchase warrants issued, but as that Province had been many years grievously harrassed by long and dangerous Warrs, with the Indians; Some Persons who had taken out warrants for Lands, were afraid to fix in Bath County during the said Warr; but when Peace and Quiet times succeeded to wars and Tumult part of the Proprietors of those Warrants required patents for the Quantity of Land Specified in their respective warrants, which was Unanimously consented to by Mr Eden then Govr and the rest of the Proprietors deputies the rest of the Possessors of these sort of Warrants were by different Motives deterred from Settling their Familys in Bath County, and therefore transferred them to others more Adventurous; who always obtained patents on those Warrants When a Survey was returned into the Secretary Office all this was well known to the Lords Proprietors; they had Yearly accounts of it; Yet they never forbid nor found fault with their Govr and Deputies for providing in that manner during the time I was their Governour I signed about twenty such Patents. Sr Richard Everard the last Governour the Proprietors had in No Carolina Acted in the same Manner, as Mr Eden and myself had done before him I cannot Imagine that either of us betrayed our Trust or Committed a fault in what wee did in this particular, but if any man differs in opinion from me he will find that all the Deputies and Councillors of the proprietors will fall under his Censure all the time the Proprietors held North Carolina the Governour and at least one half of the Council signed the Warrants and Patents I cannot help observing to your Lordship that MrJohnston in the remaining part of the second paragraph doth not proceed with the Truth, and Candour, necessary in a matter of so great consequence which will appear by my Stateing the matter rightly. to illustrate and prove what he asserted in the first Paragraph and beginning of this he writes that in the Year 1724 &c Your Lordships may be pleased to Observe, that when the Lords Proprietors altered the ancient custom, and manner of Selling their Lands in Bath County, there never appeared any Purchaser to deal with them, on the terms they proposed because the price they fixed was double or Treble what land then and long since sold for, from one man to another in Bath County which I can prove by many Scores of Sales. In the Year 1724 I was Governour of North Carolina Mr Johnston must know this, but what reasons he may have for not taking notice of it, am yet to learn….”

http://docsouth.unc.edu/csr/index.html/document/csr04-0114

I hazard a guess that if James Anderson set up an Indian Trading Post at what would become Tarboro then he would fit in that peculiar category of men referred to above as:

“others more Adventurous”.   Could not James Anderson have been one of those patents referred to above where the governor states: “during the time I was their Governour I signed about twenty such Patents”.

—————————-

Letter from William Gordon to John Chamberlain, Gordon, William, May 13, 1709

…”Bath county contains most of that land which lies to the southward of Albemarle Sound to Pamplico River, and about thirty or forty miles more southerly to Neuse River, which (being but lately peopled with a few French who left Virginia) is not laid down in the draft.  They have divided the whole into three precincts or parishes, though the inhabitants of all are but equal in number to any one of the other, most of which are seated on Pamplico River and its branches. Here is no church, though they have begun to build a town called Bath. It consists of about twelve houses, being the only town in the whole province.

http://docsouth.unc.edu/csr/index.html/document/csr01-0378#p1-715

——————————-

Another reference to Bath… in an indictment against a man James Anderson quite possibly knew in 1727, offers this statement which apparently infers the government folks thought perhaps some parts of Bertie “precinct” may also be in Bath “county”:

The presentment of the grand Jury against John Brown was read in these words Vizt

Wee of the Grand Jury do present John Brown of Bertie precinct alias Bath Severall amongst us Say that they know him to have left his Wife the daughter of Barnaby Mackinne & cohabits with another which he acknowledges to be his lawfull Wife both of the Sayd Women Within this Government

Endorsed

THOs PARRIS Foreman.

Minutes of the General Court of North Carolina, North Carolina. General Court, July 28, 1727 – August 02, 1727

http://docsouth.unc.edu/csr/index.html/document/csr02-0308#p2-705

=============================================

I did not intend for this post to be long and drawn out but I can’t help but keep adding to it (I’m building evidence as I go).  My initial point being that I think Tarboro was considered to be in Bath County at the time James Anderson moved there in 1722/3.  The below account should remove any doubts and I solicit any challenges to the assumption…  the entire document centers around the disputed patents issued for Bath County by the ex governor Burrington ( these were probably some heated arguments and some irritated landowners who felt cheated… as they probably were in some cases)…

I’ve become aware of a dilemma in genealogy.  Its not really a “pro” vs “amateur” thing although pros go out of their way to provide explanations. I’m speaking of that damn footnote thing that they do. As an obstinate amateur, I only use footnotes as a last resort… any careful reader of mine will surmise correctly that I do it just to tick them off.  Its written in “The Amateur’s Code”… not sure of the page number… or the publisher.

The dilemma I refer to is a casual statement of a fact “that appears so obvious to a genealogist that they see no reason to cite, source and document it”. One of those “everybody knows it” situations.  I think it is something we all do and have to guard against. Pros know to watch out for it because it can ruin a reputation… or at least leave a stain.  An amateur may do a family history that is picked up decades later and is subjected to scrutiny.  Such cases, particularly today with this new internet thingy, can be dismissed and regulated to the trash heap when they contain pretty little “pearls” of information.  While the said document may be a hideous fabrication from an incompetent boob, it also could be a turd that simply needs polishing and refined a bit. Actually I’ve never seen one that is really “hideous” and also I don’t think “boobs” are interested in genealogy.  As a matter of fact most boobs in my local watering hole just go up to play the juke box when I start talking genealogy trash. I should watch my tasteless humor here because I’m about to show an example and I certainly don’t want to infer my trashtalk is about this family historian.  Are we cool with that?  Good, because I’ve spent ten years of arduous polishing and darned if it isn’t getting shiny.

On a somewhat more serious level, if I can contain myself, I’ve presented this synopsis several times in my various posts and I’ve been somewhat surprised at the response to it.  I think it has been tarnished with the dreaded “undocumented sources” curse and is in danger of being relegated to a footnote somewhere in “The Amateur’s Code”.

From the research of Donald Gordon (a Pittman descendant):

Thomas Pitman,of Monmouthshire, England, fled England during the Cromwell rebellion and landed in Virginia in 1649. He purchased land in Surry County, Virginia and had two sons Thomas and William. This grandson, the third Thomas moved about 1707 to Isle of Wight County. His daughter Elizabeth and son Robert, with Robert’s two sons, Samuel and Joseph moved to Edgecombe County North Carolina about 1738. Deeds in Edgecombe County show Robert, Samuel, Joseph and Elizabeth holding several hundred acres in the area North and West of Tarboro. Joseph who first appears on Edgecombe records as a bailiff of the court had a son Abner (b. 1758) and grandson born 1787. By this time the Pitmans became Pittmans and all spelled their name with two tees . The Pittmans held land North of Leggett stretching into southern Halifax County. Here Joseph and his wife Mary had a son Henry Elias born 1828. In 1850 Henry married Lucy Anderson who in 1852 gave birth to Biscoe Pittman who married Martha Alice Walston. To this marriage was born, as the last of eight children, Hobson Lafayette Pittman (1899) at Epworth.

(Cracking my knuckles) … let me dissect this…

“Thomas Pitman,of Monmouthshire, England, fled England during the Cromwell rebellion and landed in Virginia in 1649. He purchased land in Surry County, Virginia and had two sons Thomas and William.”

This may or may not be bunk… a Pro simply will not go there because it would be necessary to back up the statement with facts and that would involve research in England.  I speculate that any number of Pros would step up to the plate to do the necessary research provided expenses were paid. …I pause to clear my throat and try to maintain my decorum.  It also doesn’t take a wild flight of imagination to realize that it really wasn’t that long ago, particularly in some richly “Southern” enclaves, that it was popular to be associated with English castletrash… even if it was as a rebel fleeing those that actually caused them to flee.  I’ve always found that strange… but then again, I’m more Texan than Southern and Texans started their own damn country until they foolishly gave it up… but I digress.

“This grandson, the third Thomas moved about 1707 to Isle of Wight County.”

Turn in your account with your Internet Provider, throw your computer in the trash and go directly to the Library of Virginia.  Find the oldest librarian on the staff and explain to her/him that you want to do genealogy like a “Real Man”, or woman,  and do it the “old fashioned way” like it is supposed to be done!  Be forceful if necessary, the staff may be somewhat startled but they will eventually come around.

“His daughter Elizabeth and son Robert, with Robert’s two sons, Samuel and Joseph moved to Edgecombe County North Carolina about 1738.”

Hmmm… he sounds downright specific about that statement.  No equivocations or sissy little adjectives like “possibly” or “may have” or even that grand standby “quite likely”.  I find it quite likely that he may have possibly gone to the “The LIbrary”.  I also think that he may have had local family sources that he used and may have been so wrapped up in the Isle of Wight stuff that he thought the local stuff was just “obvious”. He was after all, “a Pittman descendant”.   I’ve spent the last decade verifying the above statement and it is correct.   … the “Elizabeth” part is a bit “iffy” tho’.

“Deeds in Edgecombe County show Robert, Samuel, Joseph and Elizabeth holding several hundred acres in the area North and West of Tarboro. Joseph who first appears on Edgecombe records as a bailiff of the court had a son Abner (b. 1758) and grandson born 1787.” 

I’m damn close to proving this correct. Or not.  I’m polishing.

“By this time the Pitmans became Pittmans and all spelled their name with two tees . The Pittmans held land North of Leggett stretching into southern Halifax County. Here Joseph and his wife Mary had a son Henry Elias born 1828. In 1850 Henry married Lucy Anderson who in 1852 gave birth to Biscoe Pittman who married Martha Alice Walston. To this marriage was born, as the last of eight children, Hobson Lafayette Pittman (1899) at Epworth.”

I think I will make a special effort to find an old phone book and take a digital photo of the Pittman references and post it.  Then I can rest assured about that “two tees” bit.  Buried in some of my notes, is a snippet of info

from 2001 from a Pittman descendant:

“I have an orginal of Hobson Pittman’s biography written by Donald Gordan. Years ago mom gave it to me, because I have been research the Pittmans at the state of NC archives. I don’t know where she got it, but Hobson was her uncle.    Also there was a family bible that listed Abner and Joseph. It only had them and no spouses or children. My mom didn’t know who they were. There names were just in it on a page with no reference.”  Its a shame Mr. Gordon did not document his work, but he gave some pretty good clues.  Amateur.

Amateurs like me don’t hesitate to throw out theories… we are looking for answers to clues.  We look at “brick walls” as something climb over.  But of course we have to watch out for a lot of bunk.  Junk genealogy is all over the web and darn it… I suppose we should document our sources… maybe add it to the Amatuer’s Code.

I’m just collecting notes trying to figure this guy out…

Abner Pitman was the son of who?… OK… which Joseph?

EDGECOMBE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, COURT MINUTES, 1775-1785, BOOK III, Haun 

[346] -76     Nov 1785

3.  A Deed of Sale from Joseph PITMAN to Abner PITMAN proved by Ethd. PHILIPS.

EDGECOMBE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, COURT MINUTES, 1786-1792, BOOK IV, Haun

[160]     Feb 1789

10.  A deed of Sale from Jacob BATTLE Sheriff to Abner PITMAN acknd.

From Kinfolks of Edgecombe County by Alan Watson 1969

Deed book 5 # 91 Abner Pitman bought the land of Joseph Pitman decd. at Sheriff’s sale formerly granted to Elizabeth Pitman, May 1, 1788.

Deed book 11 # 561 Abner Pitman of Maryan (Marion District) South Carolina was son of Joseph Pitman Feb. 19, 1806

Joseph Pitman Dec. 18, 1786 feb. ct. 1787  [son Abner]

Account of sale by Wm. Fort, D. Sheriff, and Reubin Jones, exr., Feb. 23, 1787, October Court 1787.
Account current with the exr., October Court 1787.
Edgecombe County NC Estate Records, NC State Archives, C.R. 037.508.98
PITTMAN Joseph – 1787 – Reuben JONES, excr.; Abner PITTMAN to render slaves Priss (value L200), Abraham (L200), Vilet (L200); no family info, per se.

Edge. Co. Db 5, page 136, deed date 21 Mar 1789, recorded May Ct 1789,

Abner Pitman, Edge. Co to Arthur Pitt for 60 pounds, a Negro boy named

Abraham, about 5 years old last fall, signed Abner Pittman, wit.

Etheldred Philips, Noah Woodard.  Abstracted 9-18-04, NCA film

C.037.40007, CTC.

Edgecombe County NcArchives Wills…..Proctor, Moses – Estate 1795

Proctor, Moses, Estate file, NC Archives, Edgecombe Co. Estates,

CR.037.508.102.  JUDGEMENT against Wm. Brake for 3 pounds, one shilling

with interest from (?0 Dec 1794 until paid, to be taken from the goods

and chattels of said Brake, issued 24 June, 1795 by S. Ruffin.  Marked

Deloach vs Wm. Brake and Wm.. Faulk, warrant L3-1-0, executed by Abner 

Pitman.  (from the research of Tommy Colbert  http://files.usgwarchives.net/nc/edgecombe/wills/proctor2747wl.txt)

Edge. Co. Db 9, page 362, deed date 29 Jan 1800, recorded Feb Ct 1800,

Malichi Murphrey, Edge. Co to Abner Pitman, Edge. Co for $500 silver, a

tract beginning at William Horn’s corner a red oak and gum in Falling

Run then by said Horn’s line south 70 west 760 poles to a white oak a

corner tree then by Horn’s line north 60 west 80 poles to a pine in

Thos. Pollich’s line then by said line north 82 east 118 poles to a

corner a white oak then by the other line north 8 west 160 poles to a

white oak sapling then east 42 poles to a gum on Falling Run then down

said run to the first station, containing 107 acres, signed Malichi

Murphree, Sally Murphree, wit Josiah Horn, William Horn. Abstracted 9

Nov 07, RD copy, CTC.

(don’t let that deed reference to the little creek “Falling Run” throw you off because it is shown on modern maps over near Swift Creek because (and I’m not certain) there also was another little creek with the same name in the old deeds near William Horn’s property South of Tar River near the old Battle property… the deed references to Thomas Pollock makes me suspect it was associated nearer to south Tar River (that Pollock was a descendant of the “war” governor of 1711)…. this stuff is maddening.)

Edge. Co. Db 9, page 457, deed date 28 Mar 1800, recorded May Ct 1800,

commissioners divide the lands of John Stallings dec’d between the

lawful claimants, viz, Matthew Stallings and William Stallings,

pursuant to an order from Feb Ct 1800, commissioners divided a tract

containing 159 & 1/4 acres as per the above figure ABCDEFGHL into equal

lots, 1 & 2 containing 79 acres, three roods and twenty poles, #1

containing the lower part was drawn by Matthew Stallings and is to pay

unto his brother, William Stallings $50 silver, beginning at a stake in

Adam I. Haywood’s line marked with “A” then north 6 east 187 poles to a

dead pine Abram Jones corner at “B” then along the black line which

divides the plate south 80 west to three white oaks and a dogwood then

south 119 poles along Abner Pitman’s line to a small pine Haywood’s

corner at “L” then along Haywood’s line to the beginning, lot #2

containing the upper half and the house an equal number of acres but

inferior in value, beginning at a dead pine standing in the cleared

grounds at the letter “B” then north 88 east 32 poles to a red oak in

Abram Jones line then along said line south 84 east 50 poles to a white

oak said Jones & Frederick Phillips’ corner tree then along a crooked

line of marked trees, viz, north 14 west 18 poles then north 44 west 8

poles then north 68 west 24 poles then north 49 west 29 poles then

north 23 west 18 poles to a branch near the old foot way then up the

said branch north 85 west 26 poles to an oak then along Frederick

Phillips other line north 27 poles to a pine standing near Linches Path

then along Lynches line south 44 west 24 poles then south 48 west 36

poles to a pine and gum Linches corner marked in the above plan with

the letter “G” then along Linches other line south 28 west 48 poles to

a maple standing in the old line at “H” then along the old line south

55 poles to the center of three white oaks and a dogwood marked as “I”

then along the Black Line which divides the whole tract by a course

north 80 east to the beginning, signed Hartwell Philips, Exum Philips,

Sr, John Fountain (X), Exum Philips, Jr, Duke Wm. Sumner, Fredk.

Philips, County surveyor. NOTE: DEED HAS PLAT.  Abstracted 14 Sep 07,

RD copy CTC.

Edge. Co. Db 11, page (542), deed date 14 Feb 1806, recorded Feb Ct

1806, John Evans, county aforesaid to Abraham Evans, his father, same

place, for one pepper corn to be annualy paid least to farm, two tracts

of land on the north side of Tar River and on each side of Falling Run

in one tract on the west side of said run 107 acres formerly belonging 

to Malechi Murphrey & Abner Pitman, the other tract adjoining

containing 353 acres being the tract and plantation sold from Jacob

Dickinson to Jacob Battle, signed John Evans, wit Frederick Philips,

Jos Jno. Sumner. Abstracted 12-7-06, NCA film C.037.400010, CTC.

I’m not sure where this property was?  I think it could be at either question mark… is this the same Murphy that shows up also in South Carolina?

————————————-

So I’m in Raleigh a couple years ago…  I’m not a local.  (I go back a couple centuries)   I’m looking up stuff from Chowan County filmstrips…

A kindly old gentleman from the staff offers assistance… “What are you looking for?”  he asked.  “I’m looking for James Anderson in Chowan County in 1716, I says”.  He looks perplexed… “you mean Cha Juan” he says.  I looked at him and said “Well I’m not so sure now”.  “I’m referring to Chow Ann County” I says. He seemed a bit miffed.  He says the Cha Juan records are right over here.  I says “Are you trying to talk like an indian or what?”  He left me with the records… I drove them crazy getting quarters for those damn pay machines.

And yes, I’ve had a couple beers.

Sorry… well not really because I don’t think any young impressionable minds visit this site that will be impacted by my profanity.  I don’t understand what the “big deal” is with everyone putting silly disclaimers on their websites declaring their disdain over someone taking their “stuff” and posting it elsewhere where someone may (gasp) make a profit off of it?   Let’s see…. Ancestry.com might actually grab something I posted and use it?  So what?

If you want something I have posted just grab it and run…. use it…. a courtesy reference to me would be nice but I won’t lose any sleep over it.  Free or Profit… I don’t care.

And while I’m on a soapbox… why is it that the NC Archives site won’t allow me to grab an image of a stinking will and let me post it? (trust me folks, I can easily work around their pitiful attempt to make that impossible).  SC Archives has a “save file” feature…. hmm.  Familysearch.org has a “save” feature.   And why is it that Chowan County refused to let the Mormans take photos of “their” precious records when every other county in NC allowed them access?  hmmm?

Sorry to rant… this nonsense drives me nuts… I’m just trying to figger out who my ggggggdaddy was…  it would also be nice if the NC Archives would figure out what a digital camera is.

To NC Archives… here’s a (gasp) capitalist idea… hire a young kid, give him/her a digital camera capable cell phone (c’mon make a deal with your local cell phone company)… when a request for a record is emailed in just snap a picture and email it back to the requester….. (use PayPal or whatever) … this isn’t rocket surgery.  Better hurry tho’  SC may see this post.

Robert Pitman d. aft 1760  wife unknown (no will found)

….. Joseph

….. Samuel

…..Jesse?

son Joseph

Edgecombe Co., NC, Court Minutes 1744-1762 Book I, GoldenWest Marketing Genealogy, Temple City, CA 

[187]   Feb 1757/8

Jos. PITMAN son of Robert (Overseer marked out) Constable in Room of George WIMBERLY

son Samuel  b.1736  d.1812

see here page 20        http://digital.ncdcr.gov/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/p15012coll1&CISOPTR=6082&REC=1   (copy/paste in your browser)

(I have not scoured thru this bible to see if it mentions other family connections… give it a shot and post your thoughts in a comment… I’m all ears…)

son Jesse*

*(NCNRH-DE2 p. 57)  I assume this is a Northampton, NC  Deed Book 2 reference and I have not seen it… a little help here?     Per a short reference I have seen posted on the web this deed refers to a sale of land on 8 Nov, 1764 to Harmen Taylor and refers to a Jesse Pitman which can be tied to Robert Pitman?  Robert’s brother Thomas d.1755 also has a purported son Jesse so that is the issue I have.

——————————-

Robert, Samuel and Martha (who is she?) witnesses to 2 back to back wills in 1760…

source:  Familysearch.org   North Carolina Probate Records, 1735-1970 HalifaxWills, 1755-1781, Vol. 01  Image  17, 18, 19 of 245

1765       10 Jun. Jesse Blackwell (mark) of Edgecombe Co., planter to John Arliss Junr. of same, for £10 Proc. money a tract of land on the Mill Branch adjoining Arthur Dew and Hickman, it being part of a tract granted to said Jesse Blackwell bearing date 3 Nov 1761. Wit: JESSE PITMAN, Nath’l Hickman, senr. DB C, p. 369.

Karen’s note: A Jesse Pitman married Rachel Horn 26 Sep 1765, James Jolly bondsman; T. Cavenah, witness;   [son of Thomas d.1754?]
Also, A Jesse Pitman married Christian Hickmen 19 Oct 1765, William Hickman bondsman, Thomas Cavenah, witness. [son of Robert]

BRYANT, GAYLE Apr 8, 1788. Nov. Ct., 1793. Wife & Extx: Elizabeth, land, mare, bridle and
saddle all my hogs and cattle – household goods, and clothes, until her decease or marriage.
Reversion to my children. Dau: SARAH BRAND, lining wheel; Dau: EDAH JORDAN, all land and manner
(manor) plantation; loom and weaving gear. Gr. son: NAZARETH ALLEN, small shot gun. Exr: Joseph
Jordan. Wit: JESSE PITMAN, MORUNING PITMAN, THOMAS EDWARDS

Petition of Benjamin Cobb, who had a land entry adjoining Michael Horn,
Thomas Viverett, William Dew, and John Dew to run around the lines of John
Dew, who refused to let the surveyor run his lines. 6 Jan 1783
Petition for settlement of estate. Thomas Viverett died on 18 October 1791,
leaving a will with Jesse Pitman as executor. Said Pitman died intestate in
1793, and administration was granted to William Dew and Cornelius Joyner, who
refused to make a final settlement with Micajah Viverett and Lancelot
Viverett, two sons of the deceased. No date.

Thomas Vivrett: Judgement (27 Aug 1799) made against goods of Jesse Pittman,
decd in the hands of Mourning Pittman, Felix Pittman, Patience Allen, Jesse
Pittman, Robert Pittman and Christian Pittman, as the result of a suit in
favor of Cornelius Joyner, admr. of Thomas Vivrett.

Edgecombe Co. DB 3-426, dated 24 Jan 1776: Jeremiah Cony and wife Mary (x)
Cony of Edgecombe Co., planter, to Thomas Vivret of same for 46 pds Proc.
money a tract of 125 acres on the bank of Toisnot Swamp, it being part of a
tract granted to said Jeremiah Coney and wife Mary, bearing date 24 Jan 1776.
Wit: William Bond Whitehead, Jesse Pitman, Nathaniel Hickman, Junr.

EC DB 3-427, dated 29 Jan 1777: Arthur (x) Dew and wife, Mary, of Edgecombe
Co., planter to Thomas Vivret of same, for 155 pds Proc. money a tract of 125
acres on the south bank of Toisnot Swamp adjoining John Dew. Wit: Jesse
Pitman, Robert Peele, Junr., Nath. Hickman, Junr. Mary Dew was examined
separately concerning her right of dower.

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